While I applaud this brother for the principled stand
he's taken to resist the pressure to spy on his
community (for his own personal gain), I strongly
object to the tenor of this appeal for support -
whether the wording was drafted and/or approved by
him, his attorney, or the Muslim Legal Fund of
America.

While it is indeed probable (given the deplorable
state of the Muslim world today) that there are Sunnis
who have experienced some form of discrimination in
Iran (simply for being Sunni), I reject the blanket
accusation that Sunni Muslims are a "persecuted sect
in Iran."

In the same way that I objected to one of MLFA's
defense attorney's stating, during the Holy Land
Foundation trial in Dallas (in closing arguments),
that "We all know Hamas is a terrorist organization,"
I equally object to the language in this appeal which
paints the whole of predominantly Shi'a Iran with the
same brush.

There is already a well organized and well funded
international campaign to demonize and isolate the
Islamic Republic of Iran, we (as Muslims) should not
assist the enemy's "divide and rule" strategy simply
because it may appear to serve some short-term end.
The mere fact that this Sunni Muslim leader was BORN
IN KUWAIT, yet is not considered a citizen of that
nation with the ability to return to it at a time of
duress, clearly illustrates the human rights vacuum
that exists within the "Sunni" Muslim world!

Let us not succumb to the tactics of the same devils
that we oppose.

In the struggle for peace thru justice,

Religious Freedom Under Attack

Foad Farahi is a trusted, beloved imam in Miami. He
was born and raised in Kuwait, but he is legally
Iranian because his father is from Iran. Foad doesnít
speak Farsi and was raised as a Sunni Muslim, a
persecuted sect in Iran. While studying in the US, he
applied for political asylum for fear of being
persecuted in Iran for his religious and pro-American
political beliefs.

The FBI wanted to use Foadís position as a religious
leader to spy on the Miami Muslim community. Foad
explained that any relationship between the FBI must
be made known to his community, but the FBI insisted
on him being a secret spy. Foad refused to deceive his
community, even after being offered permanent
residency and money.

The agents threatened to charge Foad with terrorism
charges if he did not drop his political asylum case.

Although he has no involvement with terrorism or any
criminal activity, Foad accepted voluntary departure
under duress. Realizing that he now faced persecution
in Iran, he hired an attorney to undo his voluntary
departure and reopen his political asylum case. Foad
and his attorney must now argue his case before a
government that previously tried to use Foadís
vulnerable immigration status against him. There is
renewed hope, but the fight is not over.

Support Religious Freedom

Foad Farahiís case raises serious concerns about the
governmentís exploitation of the vulnerable nature of
immigration status to pressure lawful residents into
performing unethical acts. Threats of false
accusations of terrorism targeted at innocent Muslims
to coerce them into doing things against their will is
a serious form of oppression that cannot be ignored.

This case also involves the preservation of the First
Amendmentís separation of church and state. The
governmentís program to turn trusted religious leaders
into spies against their own communities violates this
vital separation and undermines religious freedom in
America.